Ricerca Biosciences was established in 1986 and over the past 27 years has built a rich tradition and culture by serving clients with scientific excellence and innovative services. The Company delivers outstanding value and service guided by a seasoned leadership team that starts with an entrepreneurial Board of Directors with widespread healthcare experience, a Chief Executive Officer with extensive experience and knowledge of the industry and an executive management team with deep industry related experience across the Company’s three key service areas — Drug Safety & Metabolism, Chemical Development, and Agrochemicals. The Company supports the outstanding delivery of science and service through an experienced team of associates with a dedicated pursuit of meeting customers’ needs and a relentless striving towards operational excellence in everything they do.

Dorothie L. Okleson
Vice President Finance And Company Treasurer

Dorothie Okleson is responsible for finance and serves as Treasurer for Ricerca Biosciences, LLC. In this role, she manages the Finance Group, and is responsible for all accounting and financial reporting requirements. Dorothie manages all audits, tax preparations, and banking activities on behalf of the company and investors. She supports all business operations and program management within the company, controlling budgets and cash flow while managing all investments.
Dorothie has served many finance roles in her 33 years of service with the company. She received her BS in Accountancy from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Michael Contenza is responsible for Ricerca’s Chemical Development Division which provides comprehensive support for successful development, scale–up, and manufacture of small–molecule pharmaceuticals, intermediates, regulatory starting materials and performance chemicals. Mr. Contenza’s 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries consists of a broad range of operational and technical responsibilities including technology assessment, development and transfer; process & project engineering, capital planning & management; quality/cGMP compliance; and environmental, health and safety management. He has a record of accomplishments associated with developing and advancing technology including the manufacture of new chemical entities in support of clinical trials and market development.

Mr. Contenza is chemical engineering graduate of Case Western Reserve University, a registered & licensed professional engineer in the State of Ohio, an active member of several professional societies and provides industrial advisory support to universities in the Cleveland area.